A towel for your hair and what makes a difference

Short answer: Hair does not cope well with being rubbed while it is wet. A smooth towel used to squeeze the water out rather than rub usually means fewer tangles and less frizz.

Squeeze rather than rub

Press the water out of your hair instead of rubbing back and forth. Wet hair is more fragile than dry, and rubbing makes individual strands tangle into each other. Take the hair in the towel and squeeze it gently in sections from the top down. This is the most important habit of all.

Smooth rather than rough

A smooth fabric pulls less on the hair than coarse terry with large loops. The loops can catch individual strands and tug on them, especially with long or curly hair. A towel with a softer, denser surface glides more easily. Browse our bamboo towels and pick a size that suits you.

A turban for a short time

A towel twisted around the head for about twenty minutes is enough to take most of the water. Longer rarely does more, and a tightly twisted towel can pull on the scalp. Twist it loosely so it stays in place without tension, and take it off once the hair no longer drips.

At night

If your hair is still damp when you go to bed, the pillowcase matters too. A rough case can create the same friction as a coarse towel, while a smooth one lets the hair glide as you turn over. Many therefore choose a soft, smooth fabric for the pillow. See the range in bamboo bedding.

The size

A medium towel is easier to twist around the head than a large bath sheet, which gets heavy and slips off. For short hair a small towel may be enough. For long hair, an ordinary medium towel is usually the most practical, because it covers the full length without weighing too much.

Washing the hair towel

Residue from shampoo, conditioner and styling products builds up in the towel, so it benefits from regular washing. Wash without fabric softener, which makes the towel less absorbent and leaves a film behind. Use a normal dose and let it dry in the air. More on washing in how to wash bamboo towels.

Absorbency

A hair towel needs to take up water without you having to rub. Absorbency therefore matters, but it depends on the material, the thickness and how the towel has been cared for. If you want to know how bamboo performs here, read are bamboo towels absorbent.

How many you should have

Two towels per person in rotation means one is always dry while the other hangs. For hair a medium towel is enough, and it helps to pick a different colour from the body towel so they do not get mixed up. See other textiles for the home in home and homewear in bamboo.

After the towel

Once the towel has taken most of the water, you can let the hair air dry or use a hairdryer on a low setting. Detangle damp hair with a wide comb rather than a dense brush. Start at the ends and work your way up, so you do not push the tangles together at the bottom.

Small habits that help

It is not about one particular product but about several small habits. Squeeze rather than rub, use a smooth towel, twist it loosely and briefly, and wash it without softener. Each is a small thing on its own, but together they make a noticeable difference to how your hair feels afterwards.

Frequently asked questions

Should I rub my hair dry?

No. Squeeze the water out instead, which usually means fewer tangles and less frizz. Wet hair is more fragile and tangles easily when it is rubbed with a towel.

How long can the towel stay on my head?

Around twenty minutes is enough to take most of the water. Longer rarely does more, and a tight towel can pull on the scalp, so keep the twist loose.

Which towel size is best for hair?

A medium towel is the easiest to twist around the head. A bath sheet gets heavy and slips off, while a small towel can be enough for short hair.

See our range of bamboo towels.